Newsroom

Latest: Air quality monitoring: Status update (Friday, May 7) 

Air quality monitoring is currently underway at Newdale Primary school to provide information to the public with respect to the impact of the ongoing fire on local air quality. The data gathered during the monitoring to date has provided further evidence that our health messages have remained appropriate:

• shelter if possible when in the plume

• levels of air pollution are likely to fluctuate due to the weather conditions and activity at the scene 

• residents should minimise their exposure to any smoke and keep their medication with them.

The public health advice therefore remains unchanged –residents in areas affected by smoke are advised to stay indoors, keep their doors and windows closed while smoke is visible.

However, we would recommend that anyone who is still experiencing irritation such as coughing or breathlessness which they believe may be related to exposure to the smoke should seek medical attention or call NHS111 

Advice: Keep your doors and windows shut

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and Public Health England have urged nearby residents to keep doors and windows shut.

Advice from Public Health England:

Any smoke can irritate airways, skin and eyes and cause coughing, wheezing breathlessness and chest pain. Chemicals in smoke can also worsen health problems like asthma and heart conditions so people should carry their medication if they are in areas affected by the smoke. Chemicals in the smoke can worsen existing health problems like asthma. People with asthma should carry their inhaler. If symptoms occur, people should seek medical advice or call NHS 111.

People in areas affected by smoke should stay indoors and keep doors and windows shut, while motorists travelling through the smoke should keep windows closed, turn off air conditioning and keep air vents closed. If people need to be outdoors, they should limit time spent in areas affected by smoke and ash.

Schools:

All schools are open today (Friday 30 April). Decisions are being made on a daily basis. If a school needs to close, parents will be notified directly by the school affected and we will update this page.

Roads:

Telford & Wrekin Council teams are working to minimise disruption on surrounding roads both on and near diversion routes. 

The M54 may need to close briefly at very short notice. For the latest from Highways England, see: https://twitter.com/highwayswmids 

However, motorists should also be aware of the following ongoing works:

•Trench Lock Interchange lane closures until 6 May

•A442 southbound from Trench Lock Interchange to Wombridge Interchange is closed until 6 May with no access towards Telford town centre

•Temporary lights on A442 Shawbirch roundabout to Leegomery roundabout

•Temporary lights on Castle Street/Trench Lock by Lidl supermarket

•Updates on road closures will be posted here https://www.telford.gov.uk/roadworks

Listen:

Councillor Shaun Davies, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council spoke to Adam Green on BBC Radio Shropshire on Friday 30 April.

Listen here

Watch; 
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service SFRS 
update May 9 1.45pm
update May 8 @8.45pm 
update May 6 @10.05pm
update May 2 @4.05pm
update April 30 @6.37pm

Questions and answers

Since the fire stated, we have been asked a lot of questions:

Where is the Fire?  

This complex fire is located at Greenway Polymers – formerly known as Johnson Aggregates & Recycling Ltd, Greenway Waste Recycling and Pink Skips – on Rock Road near the M54. There are three distinct zones to the fire.  

How long will the fire last?  

The fire service will be committed to this significant incident (24hours a day) for the next 10 (TBC) days. The situation is being continually assessed with updates then be reassessed and new information made available.  

How is air quality being monitored? 

We have received equipment and will start monitoring air quality today (Friday 30 April). We will update this page with our findings as soon as we can.

Can I go outside? Is the smoke harmful?  

As above, we will publish our air quality monitoring information as soon as we can. 

Who is responsible for the site?  

The site is privately owned and not under council control.  

The Council refused twice planning permission for operations on the site. On both occasions, the council’s decisions were overturned on appeal by government planning inspectors.  

What is the Council doing?  

Telford & Wrekin Council is doing everything it can to support partners - mainly the Environment Agency and Fire Service - ensuring resources are in place to minimise the impact on residents.  

We are constantly providing support for schools to ensure learning is not disrupted should they need to close.  

Telford & Wrekin Council teams are working to minimise disruption on surrounding roads both on and near diversion routes.